We are excited to give our final address as executive president and executive vice president of Fordham’s United Student Government (USG) at Rose Hill for the 2023-24 academic year.
When we began our administration this past August, we had pragmatic goals outlined in our campaign platform. However, two critical goals took center stage from start to finish: increased visibility amongst Fordham University students and bridging the gap between USG and the student body.
To tackle this, we enforced monthly senate tablings, which took place in high-visibility areas of the McShane Campus Center. Class senates tabled together and, on occasion, with committees to hear student concerns and share information about the current work of USG. We also encouraged class senates to create Instagram accounts to further communicate with the student body about our work throughout the year. In light of this effort, we sent out a newsletter to students, highlighting the work of each class senate.
Internally, we created informal class senate heads to streamline communication with each class senate about their work on various proposals and initiatives. These senate heads were responsible for scheduling monthly meetings with their fellow senators and gave reports on their work at weekly USG meetings.
Additionally, we increased visibility through new traditions, such as the beginning of Town Halls twice per semester. These town halls differed from the Student Life Council, which combines students with administrators which can be more intimidating for students to attend as a first resort when they have an issue. In navigating the difficulties of the switch to Destination Dining beginning in September, our Facilities and Dining committee led a town hall meeting in October to address student concerns.
Looking at the tangibles, USG completed a lot of work this year. In the fall semester, we passed the following proposals: A proposal to Improve Office of Disability Services (ODS) accommodations, which highlighted the need for improved communication with ODS, the creation of a feedback survey and a consultation service. We also passed A Native Plant Proposal to create a rain garden consisting of plants native to the Bronx and combat the university’s flooding issues. Additionally, we passed a Counseling and Psychological Services Syllabi Proposal, recommending professors include the CPS resources on their course syllabi for easy student access.
In the ever-busy spring semester, numerous more proposals were passed as senators, vice presidents and committees were able to further initiatives they began brainstorming in the fall. These proposals included a composting proposal to introduce composting on campus to be more sustainable, a proposal to expand airport transportation accessibility for international students, a proposal to make academic registration accommodations for long distance commuters, a proposal to expand accessibility resources and infrastructure and a proposal to adjust the absence policy in cases of inclement weather. Additionally, we relaunched the Fordham Friendly Program, working with the Belmont Business district to create more discounts for Fordham students and staff to local businesses, restaurants and various establishments.
Still ongoing, our Committee on Sexual Misconduct has created a proposal to implement the Survivor Advocate on the Public Safety team. This role would help strengthen Fordham’s supportive practices when addressing the safety and well-being of all Fordham students. We hope the future student government leaders continue this great work.
Additionally, through the referendum process this March, we passed the first increase to the Student Activities Fee (SAF) in over 11 years. This $95 increase was extremely necessary to allow clubs to continue programming to the same degree and to account for the increasing number and diversity of clubs added to our campus each semester through the Operations Committee. In tandem with the Budget Committee, which allocates funds from the SAF to all clubs and organizations, we led an active two-week campaign with over four hours of daily tabling to encourage students to make their voices heard through a paper ballot vote of either yes or no to this increase. In doing so, we polled over 15% of the student body, with just over 95% of these students voting yes to the increase. This monumental change will undoubtedly be reflected in the programming beginning next fall and in the semesters that will follow. We are incredibly proud of the concerted effort made by every member of USG, in addition to the outreach made to the over 1,000 students who voted.
It has been our honor and privilege to serve as your executive president and vice president for the 2023-24 academic year. Together, we have tackled challenges, celebrated victories and worked to better the experience for students at Fordham. We are proud of our work and even more proud of the hard work and dedication of our fellow senators, vice presidents, and committee members. We do not doubt that the great work of the United Student Government will continue in the years to come. USG is an organization that works for the students and is brought to you by the students.
Thank you for believing in us and trusting us to do the job. We look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of USG.
